Chal·lenge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Challenged p. pr. & vb. n. Challenging.]
1. To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy.
I challenge any man to make any pretense to power by right of fatherhood. --Locke.
2. To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat.
By this I challenge him to single fight. --Shak.
3. To claim as due; to demand as a right.
Challenge better terms. --Addison.
4. To censure; to blame. [Obs.]
He complained of the emperors . . . and challenged them for that he had no greater revenues . . . from them. --Holland.
5. Mil. To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with “Who comes there?”
6. To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.
7. Law To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court.
8. To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualified as a voter. [U. S.]
To challenge to the array, favor, polls. See under Challenge, n.